Each year, usually in December, I write a blog post encouraging you to ask the Holy Spirit to give you a word for the upcoming year. Not a phrase, not a statement, just one word — a word to serve as your lens to better see and interpret how He is moving in your life.

This is a discipline I picked up from Dan Britton, the Executive Vice President of Ministry Programs at the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. I’ve chosen one word each year since 2006, but this year, I decided to skip it.

I’m not doubting or questioning anything about Christ, I’m just not moving forward with Him. I’m mired in emotional and spiritual temper tantrums. So, in spite, I decided not to pick a word for 2011 and not to write a post … until God sent me an e-mail, via a co-worker.

My co-worker, Patrick, told me about the word he’d chosen for 2010 and the experience he had relating to God with the word in the forefront of his mind.

To me, that was God saying,

“I’m here. I care. Let me show you something.”

I felt convicted … and selfish, because the discipline of choosing one word as a theme for the year isn’t about me and how I’m feeling. It’s about Jesus. And it’s about each of our relationships with Him.

Patrick says that choosing one word for 2010 was “one of the best things [he] decided to do with [his] life up to this point.” And I usually say the same thing, except the words the Lord has given me NEVER play out like I expect them to.

Last year, my word was shine, and I was excited about it, particularly since the previous year my word was growth.

One word sounds painful and difficult, while the other word suggests promise and harvest. But the truth is, the words are similar to one another. They’re not gifts, they’re complex calls to action.

The words the Holy Spirit shares with us require us to “step up.” This discipline is not something to do on a lark because it sounds fun. It requires a commitment. It’s something that requires you to lean into the Lord and to step up and assume responsibility for the talents He has given you. I did not do that in 2010.

I sat back and waited for my harvest. And I did experience a harvest in many ways. The most significant being the birth of my first daughter, Cara (Beloved). But with the harvest comes work and for me to truly shine I need to step up and keep stepping up.

The words we get now are the foundation for the words we get in the future; they rest atop one another, strengthening our faith, defining our walk with Jesus and serving as snapshots of points in our lives.

For me, my brief walk with Jesus has been upon these words.

Obedience.Relationships.Reconciliation.Growth.Shine.
And now, Closer.

What is your word for 2011?

Read Dan’s document, One Word, for suggestions that will help you with this spiritual discipline.

My word for 2010 was Waiting—and oh, was this ever the case. Thank you, Lord, for the insight on this because it propelled me forward instead of letting me be crushed by life circumstances. My word for 2011? Abide. Off the bat, I’m liking this one better. But it, too, is similar to my previous word. And with many life events brewing, I know I will need to abide in Him as my anchor to get through this year. I pulled out your article from Dec 2009 almost 2 weeks ago to begin praying about this year’s word. Thanks, Chris, for your posts.

Thanks for sharing Jo Anna. Knowing that this discipline is meaningful to you, that you began praying about a word for 2011 weeks ago, encourages me. It’s more of God saying, “Let me show you something.”

Your post is very powerful. “Will you let me shake your world so I can give you an unshakeable kingdom? Will you trust me to rebuild your world as I would have it be?” Those are questions for all of us.

My word is Prayerfully. I’ve been in my walk of faith in Him for so long but I have not truly embraced all I believe in the importance of prayer. I want to see the abundance of my life committed to bringing everything to Him in prayer. I want that deeper relationship.

Praise God you chose a word Chris. And thanks for this strenthening and encouraging message.

You are welcome Lisa. Thank you for your encouragement and for sharing your word with us. I pray that 2011 is ‘successful” for you and that you can look back upon it in 12 months with the peace of a deeper relationship with God.

Our family word for this year is LIGHT.
We are to be a light – of course, and then, God has already turned it upside down –
Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. Ps 119:105
To find the light, we have to be full of the Word, or our oil will run out like the foolish virgins.

Thanks for doing this…the one word each year has helped us focus, and we can look back at the year, and see what God has done. Thank you.

When I first read “LIGHT”, I thought you meant…”not heavy”. Haha. And I thought you were about to talk about ridding yourself of earthly possessions and purging your home of unneeded things so that you could be “light” on your feet. I SO read my own convictions into that. Lol.

It was on Christmas day while in hyderabad in India that for the first time I thought of a goal for 2011. It thought through how life has been for the last few years. I realized I have been living sun-consciously, so my starting word is: ACCOUNTABILITY to God all things.

While reading through these posts and people’s responses, including the links to various blogs outside of this page, the word I kept coming back to was “Open”. Being open to various things – changes in my life, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Being open to learning about other cultures and about those who are “different” than I am. Being more open with friends and family.

I have no illusions that this is going to be at all easy. I’m a very closed person by nature. I have some severe mental health issues (I don’t use the words illness or problems because I don’t believe I need to be “cured”). These sometimes prevent me from being open with friends and family because not all my friends and family know about them. My immediate family do and some of my friends, but not all of them.

I also don’t really like change. I know that not many do, but I have a more adverse reaction to it than some, including panic attacks sometimes if it changes too fast. I’m quite overweight and part of that, I know, is because it helps form a barrier there between me and others.

But, in December, I’ll be graduating with my master’s degree in library science and the odds of me being able to get a job in the library system I’m currently working in is slim, so I need to get used to the idea of change because things ARE going to change.

And added to all that, being more open to God. I’m pretty closed off from Him right now. I know it’s not good, but opening myself to Him means having to deal with a bunch of stuff from the past that I’ve tried desperately to bury. It means trying to deal with the anger I have towards Him. But it also means having to be more open to fighting off spiritual attacks which I must admit that I’m weary just THINKING of it, much less engaging in it.

So I have no illusions that this is going to be at all easy, but that’s the word that keeps coming back to my mind. So that’s the word for 2011. Open.

Hi Valerie thanks for sharing and being so honest I don’t no if you realized it but you were “Open”…God Bless and please let Him in to your closed places He will heal you I know because He is healing me after I Open the door to my heart and let Him in…Blessings

Thank you for posting this Valerie. “Open” is also the word that kept coming to me as I read Chris’ Blog post. BUT – I ‘m thinking – I haven’t spent a day fasting and praying about it. BUT then I saw your post and immediately felt confirmed that “open” is the word. I need to be more “open” to what God is doing and has to say. Also to what my husband has to say. I tend to think I already KNOW and don’t really listen. “Open” to me also means like an open mouthed baby bird – ready to be filled. and I so want to filled with whatever God has for me. Yes this year it will be OPEN!
BTW I am a retired librarian – God bless your library endeavors too!

“LISTEN” is my word. I learned time and time again that listening to God can affect everything. EVERYTHING. Thinking about how different my life could be now if I had let God take control, I realize that maybe that should be my theme for the year.

You’re absolutely right! I agree completely. And it’s not just listening to God, at least for me. When I listen to my wife and to my family and friends, when I really hear what they’re saying and I acknowledge the feelings behind the words, it affects everything – for the better.

My word for 2011 is QUIET – as in quietness, stillness. I need to create space in my life so I can focus and listen (mostly to God). I also see this word applying as empty – emptying myself of all distractions so that I can quiet myself.

That’s what I love about this discipline. The words seems so simple, yet they have deep meaning to them. They have so many layers, subtleties and complexities to them. And the deeper we lean into our words the more we can savor the meaning and purpose.

My word for 2011 is Trust. My life verse has always been Ephesians 6:10 but this year I need to focus more clearly on learning to Trust God and not try to take everything into my own hands. This includes family, finances, relationships…etc.

Can I have everyone’s words? They’re all wonderful and it’s so hard to choose one. But I think PRAYERFUL. We are praying our daughter and her husband (who are quite wealthy and have 2 little girls) will feel led to sponsor 2 children this year. For Christmas, we gave a donation to Compassion in their honor and wrote them that it’s our hope and prayer that they’ll sponsor girls with their girls birthdays. (our daughter is a Korean adoptee). I just looked some little girls up and broke into prayer and tears. We can’t do more than the two, but they can. Your prayers would be appreciated. They don’t know the Lord, but they can still feel led, and not know it’s God’s urging. So – I go forth into 2011 Prayerful.

This is my first exposure to your one word choice. I had already decided on an emphasis for the year so now it is in the form of one word. Seed-planter. I tend to want to share it all and overwhelm and if I can’t get them to a point of decision I tend to not share at all. So this year I want to just be Jesus’ helper planting small seeds where ever I find myself and see how many doors God opens with my heart ready to share more freely in smaller bite size portions:)

My word is “miracles”. I want to be in awe of what I usually take for granted and register all the “miracles” that God performs in my life. My mom told me that just being able to open your eyes and see every day is a miracle. She has problems with her eyes and so she undertands the miracle of “sight”.
I hope to have a long list of miracles at the end of 2011 written in my journal.

The first word that came to me when I read this was “freshness,” because I want this year to be the best new start ever! I’m planning to have surgery around Easter that will make a major difference to my mental health, so I do have grounds for believing this year to be different from all that has gone before.

Other words I’m tossing up, which probably apply to my whole life rather than just this year, include “redemption,” “reconciliation” and “forgiveness.” It all reminds me of a line from “There is a Fountain Filled with Blood,” which says, “Redeeming love has been my theme, and shall be til I die.”

Chris, I can’t begin to explain how much my words have meant to me the past two years. God has spoken to me in so many new ways through these words! 2009 was the word “Hold” or “Held.” I wrote about it here:

I’ve never heard about choosing a word for the year. But on New Year’s Day I posted this on my status: “I’m finally feeling good about this year. At first it just seemed like a looming task to get through with [my husband] being deployed. But the Lord is at work in my life and on my heart, and that can only mean good things to come. 2011: a year for growth.”
So without even knowing it, the Spirit laid my word on my heart already – now I just know what to call it!
Alas, my 2011 word = GROWTH.

My one word is Give. I feel God is telling me to give more with a cheerful heart so that others can see Him better in me. Sometimes I don’t know how I can do it, or even afford to do it, but somehow He always provides. I can truly say that He has given me a heart to give to children in need. I seek to make Him happy & proud in all I do. I thank Him for what He has given to me. Therefore I give of my heart to His children, young and old, so that they can see Him alive in me He is so awesome!!!!

or “Trust”…I work at a Christian school that’s facing the possibility of the associated church merging with another, and that’ll affect the future of the school. We’re just not sure how it’s all going to work out. We have to trust God with our future, knowing that He remembers us in all circumstances; He never forgets us even when He seems absent.

As a staff we’ve faced the possibility of reforming under an independent board, and changing the name of the school (regardless of where we end up meeting…we might be able to stay at our current location, or we might have to find somewhere else). But one of the staff members suggested that the new name contain the word Faith, since that’s what we all need this year…and always.

I really thought (and prayed) about this one last night. I did not like God’s answer in the least! The word He kept giving me is LOVE. Now I love my family and friends fiercely, but I also struggle with a judgemental attitude frequently. To LOVE means I will have to more accepting, look beyond the surface, and really work at LOVING others the way God loves me. While I know it’s the right thing to do, and God commands it very clearly, I also know it’s going to push me way out of my comfort zone and I’m going to have to tackle some tough issues personally. I’m not sure whether to thank you for this post or not!

There sure are a lot of us out there. Thanks for the verse Irene. That is one of my favorites. It has comforted me a great deal in the past. But as I got absorbed in myself I lost God’s voice in the message. It just became a bunch of words. But I am encouraged because I sense things changing.

Starting a new ministry called “Reflected Light Missions”
working to employ and impower the people of Haiti. The ministry isn’t fully launched yet – Lord willing, within the first 6 months of this year…I created a page on facebook that tells a bit more – search “Reflected Light Missions”.

I always have trouble picking just one word, but this year I think I have settled on “Simplicity.” Life gets to complicated and filled with things that do not really matter. This year I want to focus on simplifying my posessions, my time, and my perspectives

I already prayed about this during Christmas and God was very clear and concise about this one. I’m not sure how He is planning on playing it out in my life, but I’m looking at being even more purposeful with my money (He’s given me God-sized goals for paying off debt this year), purposeful about my actions and activities, even purposeful about the books I’m choosing to read. I’m very excited to see how He’s going to grow this in my life over the next 12 months!

REDEMPTION: We will never be worthy of what Christ did on the cross for our sins. We all fall, it is inevitable. I have fallen off so far off the track and so many times this year that I almost forgot where my faith was at times; but God always pulled for me to be better, to do good in His name, and pick myself back up. He was always there. I am thankful to give him all the glory and praise. He has a beautiful way of using a disgusting and sinful person like myself to spread his message and strive to be better.

I don’t think of my yearly words as anything having to do with “stepping up.” Like you said, it isn’t really about me, it’s about Jesus. For me, the words cause me to relax (the opposite of stepping up, I think). They cause me to be more alert to what He’s saying to me throughout the year. It’s more like a bell going off every time I read or hear my word. It doesn’t mean I need to “do” anything — it just says to me, “God is here. He’s in this stuff that I’m going through. He loves me.” For me, the words are a way to learn more about HIM, not about me and what I should or should not be doing. If nothing else, you can at least write down verses that jump out at you throughout the year, that contain your word. I keep them in a pocket appointment book (ignoring the dates). Some days I have nothing to write down and others I may have 3-4 verses or quotes from books I’m reading, so I don’t try to put the verses on the “correct” day of the year. (No pressure, no guilt.) But then, when I feel low or discouraged, I pull out that little notebook and go for a walk. When I see what God has said to me in the previous days, weeks or months, my spirits are lifted. This is resting in Him, leaning in as you said. To me, it’s a very natural and calming thing — it’s more about being alert to what He’s already doing and saying to me, than it is about anything I need to do or be.

My word for 2011 is Intentional. I want to be able to look back on this year and say “Wow, I really lived.” So many times, I waste time or opportunities. I want to be intentional with my time and in my relationships with loved ones and with God.

My Word for 2010 I believe was second or 2 like second place and I took it to mean go the second mile like in the bible with the Romans soldier or second like if you want to be number one you need to train like #2 etc. I didn’t do a very good in 2010 and hope to train like #2 in 2011!

It takes a lot of courage to admit that we are imperfect, sinful beings. I, myself have fallen very far at times this year, and can relate to how you feel. I know I need to make a lot of changes in my life in order to be fully effective in my missions. My word for this year reflects that need for change. It is REPENTANCE.

P.S. I don’t know you, but I do know that you are not a disgusting person. You’ve proven that by admitting you are flawed, and striving to do better.

I’ve never heard of this before, but I really like it! I immediately thought of the word PEACE. My pastor once said that peace is God’s presence. I’ve been doing and saying all the right things, but I haven’t made time for God. On top of that I’ve had a very challenging couple of months, so my heart is empty and my spirit is dry. I need the peace that Jesus gave and lots of time in God’s presence. Because without a close relationship with the God I love, I can’t do His work or live the life He wants to give me.

Thank you all for your posts, you are so inspiring! I pray that God will use these words to really draw us closer to Him in 2011!

CARRY
a strange one-word it would seem, but from all that God showed me at Passion 2011 and throughout the last year, the most important thing is living it out. i think of all the names i carry, the brands that i wear, things i use, things that people know i support, but can they see that above all of those things is Jesus?
so for 2011:
carry the name of Jesus, living a life worthy of the gospel of Christ.
[acts9:15, phil1:27]

My word for 2010 would be growth. All of my struggles, all of my pain and all of my heartache the past year led me to a deeper relationship with Christ. I know He’s there, I know He’s protecting me, and most important, I know I am valued, loved, and treasured.
For 2011 my word would be dependent. I am constantly amazed at how the more dependent on Him I am, the more He provides.

I guess my word for this year should be “trust”. I too have been through a very depressing time and I haven’t been able to focus on God and what He is doing. But I believe He is showing me that my trust in Him is secure. He will always be faithful even when I am faithless. Please pray for me and I will pray for you.

My word for this year is definitely “vulnerable.” I was raised to be independent, to tough anything out, never to show weakness. But last year was a tought year, culminating in the death of my Dad. Enough of being strong before everyone else about all the things going on! This year, God is prompting me to be vulnerable before Him and before my friends!

Quiet. The Lord has been telling me to be quiet and listen for My voice and I will guide you where you must go. Far to often we get all caught up in life and sometimes our ministry to the point that we fail to hear Gods voice. Just because we have all these grand plans and direction for our ministry if we do not listen to Gods voice we may be going down the wrong road. So I am now listening to Gods voice and using my ouw lips a lot less

Consistency. In 2011, I need to consistently stay focused on God and the work He has for me, no matter the circumstances. Our God is great, and because mere circumstances can’t stop His work, I should never let them stop me, either.

[…] Google Reader is any indication, many of the people who write the blogs I read are choosing a one word theme for 2011. Simply put, you pray for the Holy Spirit to reveal a word to you that will serve as a focusing […]

Rachael Snavely

Jan 19, 2011

at 9:36 am

I don’t remember my initial word. I know it began with an r and was kind of long–I think it was either restoration or revitalization. Depending on how you look at it, those words are similar enough, I guess.

My word is Submit, which funnily enough is the first thing I just looked at before starting my post because of the little button under this box that says “submit”
The Lord is telling me that I need to fully submit to His will & His ways and turn from my own plans, comforts, desires, etc. I feel that even when we think we are walking in His ways, if we look deeper, allowing Him to show us through His word what He desires, we really have a long way to go! I pray I allow Him to take me where He wants me to go this year!!!

My word for 2011 is discipline! I have seen how my lack of discipline leads me away from God and the things he wants me to be and do. When I am disciplined, I read my bible daily, I take care of my blessings, my children, my body, our home, I work for Christ and am more open to hearing His call.

That’s a really good idea, picking one word for the year. Ever since I was first saved (in the month of January) I’ve made a list of spiritual pitfalls that I wanted God’s help to work on that year. Many of those things appeared on several years’ lists. There was only one year that I did not make a list and I was struggling with depression as well (unfortunately, mine was accompanied by serious doubts about my faith). I think the word I might choose this year is Follow. Either that or Care.

This is the first year I am picking a word instead of making resolutions I will feel guilty about not keeping. The word I chose is “care”. I want to take better care of myself spiritually and physically and better care of my relationships by being more care-ful about the words I speak and the attitudes I convey.